The Combined Influence of Psychological Factors on Biomarkers of Renal Functioning in African Americans

African Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent research has documented that psychological-factors have a significant influence on the progression and treatment of CKD. However, extant evidence exists that has examined the link between psychological factors and renal function in African Americans. The purpose of the study was to determine if psychological factors were associated with several biomarkers of renal functioning in this group.

129 African American participants, with a mean age of 44.4 years (SD = 12.25).

Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional study entitled Stress and Psychoneuroimmunological Factors in Renal Health and Disease. MAIN PREDICTOR MEASURES: Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Cook Medley Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale-10.

Systolic blood pressure, as well as blood and urine samples, were collected and served as biomarkers of renal functioning.

Our findings indicated that psychological factors were not associated with renal functioning. Age, sex, and systolic blood pressure emerged as significant predictors of renal functioning.

Depressive symptomatology, perceived stress, and hostility did not influence renal functioning in this sample. This unexpected finding may be attributed to the fact that this sample population was not elevated on depressive symptoms, perceived stress, or hostility. Elevated levels of these psychological factors, as well as other psychological factors associated with the CKD, may be more influential on renal functioning in African Americans.